The News May, 2014 Volume 2, Issue 4

Hi Folks, There are now nearly 80 people from all over North America regis- tered for the Society of the Americas 2014 annual meeting this June in Ladysmith. For any of you who haven’t registered yet and may be sitting on the fence about whether or not to attend, I’d like to PRESIDENT encourage you to do so based on my own experience. In 2001 as a Robert DuBois fairly new odonate enthusiast I had been learning and going out in the field on my own without fully appreciating that there was a sub- [email protected] stantial group of other odonate enthusiasts out there who were VICE PRESIDENT friendly and having lots of fun. I heard about an inaugural meeting of the Great Lakes Odonata Meeting (GLOM – no longer active) and de- Dan Jackson spite being rather deeply introverted, I decided to go, with some [email protected] trepidation and purely out of curiosity. Well, I never had so much fun SECRETARY in my life! It was a blast to chase after from dawn til dusk, see new and different habitats at every stop, and meet new Ellen Dettwiler friends with a similar interest, some of whom are still so to this day. [email protected] The dual meeting of the DSA and the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society TREASURER this year is a rare opportunity to learn, meet others, and have fun that is not likely to be repeated locally anytime soon. Despite the late Matt Berg spring I’m going to go out on a limb and predict that there will be [email protected] plenty of interesting species flying (now I’ve done it!). AT LARGE You can register at any time including at the door, but please note that if you register after May 28, you won’t be able to get the ban- Bill Smith quet (http://mamomi.net/dsa2014/DSA2014/Registration.html). [email protected] Looking forward to seeing some of you there!! Ken Tennessen Bob [email protected] Please note that there will be a “satellite location” for those of you who are Julie Pleski not able to travel to Ladysmith, WI. [email protected] It will be at the same time as the main meeting, but will be at the Horicon Joanne Kline Marsh Wildlife Area in Dodge County. More details inside. [email protected] Nominating Committee, 2014 Ryan Chrouser Robert DuBois Ellen Dettwiler Dan Jackson [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

©Wisconsin Dragonfly Society, Inc., 2014 May, 2014 The Wisconsin Odonata News

Wisconsin Dragonfly Society’s Annual Membership Meeting, June 14th 2014 On Saturday, June 14th, 2014 at 8:00 am CDT, the members of the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society, Inc. will meet for their Annual Membership Meeting. The only formal item on the Agenda this year is the election of officers for the year 2015 (January through De- cember). The slate of officers is as follows: President — Dan Jackosn Vice President — Ryan Chrouser Recording Secretary — Carey Chrouser Treasurer — Matt Berg (incumbent) At Large: Ken Tennessen (incumbent) Julie Pleski (incumbent) Joanne Kline (incumbent) Robert DuBois Ellen Dettwiler The slate was published in the April newsletter on May 1st. There will be two sites for members to participate — Lady- smith and Horicon Marsh. You are a member if you have paid dues anytime since last Fall, inclusive. A single membership has one vote and a family membership has 2 votes if both are present. Members may bring up any new business they wish at this meeting. After the meeting, we will participate in the DSA presenta- tions, if desired, as we are hosting the annual meeting of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas in Ladysmith. Hope- fully, we will have Wi-Fi connectivity for those in Horicon. Please arrive around 7:30 am to sign in for our meeting and get settled. There will be membership forms for those wish- ing to join at the meeting. Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta) After the meeting, there will be field trips to participate in, so juvenile male © 2014 Ellen R. Dettwiler you may plan on a whole day of fun. All of the day’s activities welcome children — the future of dragonfly habitat depends on their interest and car- ing. Please thank Joanne Kline for all her work in arranging the DSA Annual Meeting — great job, Joanne! Respectfully, Ellen R. Dettwiler, Secretary

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Letter from Robert DuBois Regarding Naming We received this note from Bob regarding naming changes proposed recently. This is being included to allow all friends of Odonata to see how omportant names are in our study. If you have questions, you may wish to ask them at the Annu- al Meeting. Ellen R. Dettwiler, Editor

Hey Folks,

Those of you without much interest in probably don’t need to read this. A recent email about updating our species checklist reminded me that we need to make some name changes to our species list. This need is due to some recent data and publications with taxonomic implications and because some of the names on our website were simply not updated from names used in the past. My one sentence on my philosophy for using names: they should be based on the latest good science, we should use a consistent process for name selection, they should be as specific as feasible, and whenever possible they should be consistent with what most others are using because, at the most basic level, they are tools for communication so we know what each other is talking about. In this spirit I recommend (in bold for those who want to read as little as possible) that we make the following changes to our website and checklists. Let me know if you have strenuous objections:

Amphiagrion abbreviatum (Western Red Damsel) This is an issue of new evidence suggesting a name change. Evidence is building that our (WI) red damsels are actually closer morphologically, in terms of color pattern, and genetically to Western Red Damsel () than Eastern Red Damsel (A. saucium), which is what WI odonatists have been calling them for many decades. Ken Ten- nessen will be speaking on the color and morphological evidence at the DSA meeting. As long as systematists are going to retain Amphiagrion as two species (which seems reasonable), then I recommend that we refer to those in WI (common and scientific names) Western Red Damsel (Amphiagrion abbreviatum).

Argia fumipennis violacea (Variable Dancer) This is a common name issue. There are several subspecies of Argia fumipennis with common names in North America. Subspecies of odonates are usually not given common names, but two species complexes with members in WI do have subspecies with “official” or often used common names (this group and Swift River Cruiser [see below]). As a general rule, the DSA naming committee encourages the use of species common names even for those groups that have sub- species with common names. This usually makes sense because the subspecies involved may be difficult to distinguish and there may be geographic areas of intergradation in multiple areas across their ranges. In other words, it’s often less confusing and there is less chance of making errors to use species common names than subspecies common names. However, in our situation with Argia fumipennis, we only have only one subspecies in WI (A. f. violacea) so we have no difficulties with intergrades or distinguishing among subspecies. In such a case my gut would be to go with the more specific subspecies common name (Violet Dancer) than the common name for the species (Variable Dancer), which is what I did when I put the species into the WOS website. This is especially true for me considering that the name “violet” is much more evocative and interesting than the name “variable”. Therefore, it pains me somewhat to say that for rea- sons of consistency with what I recommend for the Swift River Cruiser below, to be consistent with what others are do- ing, and to be in concordance with the wishes of the DSA naming committee, I recommend that we change the com- mon name of Argia fumipennis violacea from Violet Dancer to Variable Dancer (arghhh) and still use the trinomial.

Lestes australis (Southern Spreadwing) This is an issue of changing to a name in more frequent current use based on the most recent evidence. For years Southern Spreadwing was considered by many to be a subspecies of Common Spreadwing (along with Northern Spread- wing) and trinomials were often used. More recently it has become increasingly clear that Southern Spreadwing is a good species and most odonatists have recognized that to be the case. I recommend we separate Southern Spread- wing (Lestes australis) and Northern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus) with no further need for trinomials. (Continued on page 4)

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Gomphus (multiple species) This is an issue of new evidence suggesting name changes. A paper is coming out that will recommend generic status for what we’ve been calling three subgenera of (, , and ). Gomphus has long been a catch-all category in need of revision. The subgenus names are much more helpful than the name and many of us have been using them for years as proxy genus names. Now we have evidence to make the changes and I recommend we do so as follows:

Hylogomphus – adelphus, viridifrons

Gomphurus – externus, fraternus, lineatifrons, vastus, ventricosus

Phanogomphus – exilis, graslinellus, lividus, quadricolor, spicatus

Zoraena diastatops (Delta-spotted Spiketail) This is an issue of new evidence suggesting a name change. North American spiketails have usually been lumped into the genus Cordulegaster but there has been lively debate about splitting the group with some workers in the past hav- ing recognized up to eleven genera. Some division of Cordulegaster is clearly warranted and our three spiketail species could easily each be put into a separate genus, but this would be controversial at the moment. However, I think the best systematists, including Ken Tennessen, recognize at least one additional genus (Zoraena) as legitimate. The Delta- spotted Spiketail would fall into the genus Zoraena. I recommend that we remove the Delta-spotted Spiketail from Cordulegaster and place it into Zoraena, while retaining our other two spiketail species in Cordulegaster, at least for the time being.

Macromia illinoiensis illinoiensis (Swift River Cruiser) This is a common name issue somewhat similar to Variable Dancer above, so I won’t repeat the background. The only subspecies we have at present has the common name of River Cruiser (which is the former common name for the species). The species common name now is Swift River Cruiser. The other subspecies is illinoiensis geor- gina (Georgia River Cruiser), which is more southern in distribution but does range north into IA up the Mississippi Riv- er Valley. Since the southern form could expand its range into WI in the future due to climate change or for other rea- sons, and because the two forms intergrade and are virtually indistinguishable (especially the females, see Donnelly and Tennessen 1994), I recommend that we change the common name of Macromia illinoiensis illinoiensis from Illi- nois River Cruiser to Swift River Cruiser and retain the trinomial.

Epitheca (4 species) This is an issue of changing to a name in more frequent current use based on the most recent evidence. For many years the baskettails were split into two genera, Epicordulia (Prince Baskettail) and Tetragoneuria (all other species of baskettail). In 1966, E. M. Walker wrote a paper pointing out that the Prince baskettail was nothing more than a big baskettail and he recommended that all baskettails be place in a single genus (Epitheca). Some workers initially accept- ed this recommendation and others did not, so Tetragoneuria and Epicordulia remained in common use long after 1966. However, in recent years use of Epitheca has increased while use of Tetragoneuria and Epicordulia has declined. For the sake of consistency with other odonatists and to reduce confusion for beginners, I recommend that we dis- continue use of Epicordulia and Tetragoneuria and use Epitheca for our four known species of baskettail in WI.

Ladona julia (Chalk-fronted Corporal) This is an issue of changing to a name in more frequent current use based on the most recent evidence. Older texts sunk the corporals in the genus Libellula. More recent work has shown that the corporals are deserving of generic sta- tus and they were placed in the genus Ladona. For consistency with the prevailing view of most odonatists, I recom- mend that we use the genus Ladona for the Chalk-fronted Corporal. (Continued on page 5)

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Plathemis lydia (Common Whitetail) This is an issue of changing to a name in more frequent current use based on the most recent evidence. Older texts sunk the whitetails in the genus Libellula. More recent work has shown that the whitetails are deserving of generic status and they were placed in the genus Plathemis. For consistency with the prevailing view of most odonatists, I recommend that we use the genus Plathemis for the Common Whitetail.

What am I forgetting? Cheerios, Bob (Robert B. DuBois, Aquatic Ecologist ) ______

Satellite Location for Annual Membership Meeting June 14th, 2014, 8:00 am CDT While the main meeting of the Wisconsin Dragonfly Society is in Ladysmith, those who wish to, may attend it “remotely” at

Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area N7725 Hwy 28 Horicon, WI 53032 The upper area is closed for construction, but we are meeting in the lower classroom area. There is parking right out- side. Please bring your own refreshments for lunch (and a late breakfast, if you need it). We will have coffee, tea, and water available. The area is handicapped accessible (even the trails for collecting), so come one, come all and enjoy! Our thanks to Liz Herzmann, DNR Wildlife Conservation Educator and Jennifer Wirth, DNR, for setting this up for us. ______

They’re Here!!!

I (Ellen D) have observed and collected dam- selflies and dragonflies since the 28th of May.

What have you seen?? Bring your photos to share at the meetings.

Also, share your photos and observations on the Survey. It is now set up to allow you to register yourself. These records are so im- portant.

This photo is of a Carolina Saddlebags (Tramea carolina) male in La Crosse county at a private retention pond on west side of Timberwood Lane, Holmen. Posted on June 1st on the Survey.

Wisconsin Dragonfly Society Page 5 Volume 2, Issue 4 May, 2014 The Wisconsin Odonata News Resources One of our goals as a group is to share information and resources for our study. Here is a list of some of them. Links http://wiatri.net/inventory/odonata/WDS/Images/WDS_ConstitutionBylaws.pdf — our constitution and by- laws http://wiatri.net/inventory/odonata/WDS/Images/WDS_Brochure.pdf — brochure which can be printed out http://wiatri.net/inventory/Odonata/ — The major resource for citizen participation http://wiatri.net/inventory/Odonata/Resources.cfm — list of resources from Bob DuBois http://www.facebook.com/groups/wisconsindragonflysociety/ — our group on Facebook — it’s a joy to see these contributions from many people and our members helping them identify their Odos. www.facebook.com/WisconsinDragonflySociety/photos_stream — our Facebook page photos. You can go to this link even if you are not a Facebook member. http://bryanpfeiffer.com/2013/12/31/the-year-in-flight/#gallery/4056/264/0 — Bryan Pfeiffer is a blogger who enjoys dragonflies as well as birds. This slide show has several beautiful pictures of Odos. “Follow” him and you get lots of good reporting of the habits of Odos. http://bryanpfeiffer.com/2014/01/09/surviving-the-polar-vortex/ — This is an amazing story of the early col- lecting of Philip Powell Calvert in Costa Rica. http://bryanpfeiffer.com/ — The home of Bryan Pfeiffer’s site — many pix here and news of GLOM, etc. http://www.odonatacentral.org/ — OdonataCentral hosts the official website of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas. The journals Argia and the Bulletin of American Odonatology are online and searchable. Books, Guides  Legler K., D. Legler, and D. Westover. 2013. Color Guide to Dragonflies of Wisconsin. Edition 5.1. Karl Legler, Sauk City, Wisconsin (this new version has been expanded to include all WI species of dragon- flies; available from [email protected]).  Lam, Ed. 2004. of the Northeast. Biodiversity Books, Forest Hill, New York. 96 pp. (very use- ful for WI, having all but one of our species) http://www.edlam.net/book.html.  DuBois, R. 2005. Damselflies of the North Woods. Kollath-Stensaas Publishing, Duluth, . 128 pp. (Omits several species found only in the southern-most counties — out of print but useful if you can find a copy at a reasonable price (Amazon has it from $149, used erd).  Mead, K. 2009. Dragonflies of the Northwoods. 2nd Edition. Kollath-Stensaas Publishing, Duluth, Minneso- ta. 193 pp. http://www.dragonfliesofthenorthwoods.com (available on Amazon from $8.99 erd).  Paulson, D. 2012. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. (the most complete reference for eastern North America).  Garrison, M. 2011. Damselflies of Chicagoland: A Photo Field Guide, version 2. 135 pp. (Free PDF down- load).  Rosche, L., J. Semroc, L. Gilbert. 2008. Dragonflies and Damselflies of Northeast . 2nd Edition. Cleve- land Museum of Natural History, Ohio. 300 pp. http://www.ddneo.info.  Tennessen, Ken. 2010. Waushara County Dragonflies and Damselflies. 32 pp. (available from the author: [email protected]). Supplies Nets, vials, pins, etc. can be purchased from BioQuip Products, Inc., website: http://www.bioquip.com Collecting envelopes can be acquired on-line from: http://bellsouthpwp.net/b/i/billmauffray/envlopes.htm

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Wisconsin Dragonfly Society (WDS) Membership Application Membership in the WDS is open to any person in any state The WDS dues are as follows: $5 annual single member, $7.50 for family membership. Members must opt-in before WDS will share their e-mail address or other contact information with other members of WDS. Please check the renewal box if that applies, too. Send check or money order to: Matt Berg 572 N. Day Rd. St. Croix Falls, WI 54024 Name ______Address______City, State, Postal Code______Email______Share?______Check membership category that applies: Single member $5 Family membership $7.50 Renewal Total enclosed $______

DSA 2014 Membership Dues http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/PageAction.get/name/DSA_Membership Membership in the DSA is open to any person in any country. The DSA dues (including a subscription to Argia) are as follows: Argia in digital form (PDF)...... $15.00 US Sustaining membership, please add $5 US to the above values. Thank you! *Argia in digital form is available to anyone who has an e-mail address and a broadband Internet connection. Argia is available for download from this site. Volume 11 of The Bulletin of American Odonatology (BAO) is currently in progress (second issue published). If you need to renew your subscription or if you would like to start one, please indicate below, but we are not accepting subscriptions for future volumes of BAO at this time. The BAO subscription rate (printed and shipped) is as follows: (Please NOTE: Only subscriptions for the current volume of BAO (11) are accepted at this time). New World private members...... $20.00 US

Remember — 2014 Annual Meeting of WDS is with the DSA Meeting June 14, 2014

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Mission Statement The Wisconsin Dragonfly Society fosters appreciation, study and enjoyment of Wisconsin dragonflies and damselflies and the aquatic habitats on which they depend. Adopted October, 2012

May 23rd, 2014 — Four-Spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) Walworth County, Beulah Bog SNA.

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